Specialized has worked with AliExpress and Chinese law enforcement to seize fake Specialized and Roval products with a value estimated at $1.1m, the largest ever involving the brand.
Although reported this month, the raid took place in March and netted fake Specialized Tarmac SL8 framesets, Roval handlebars and wheels, as well as other fake components and almost 10,000 sticker sets.
It wasn’t only counterfeit Specialized products that were found – there was a further $0.5m of fake Pinarello, Cervélo, Cannondale and Trek goods.
The March 2025 operation began when Specialized alerted AliExpress to the suspected counterfeit listings, buying some of the listed products to confirm they were indeed fake. AliExpress then provided Chinese law enforcement with the information to trace the supply chain back to the factories where they were made.
AliExpress says it uses AI to monitor and quickly remove fake products from its site. It points out, though, that dismantling the operations behind them is important to stop them re-emerging.
Risk to users
AliExpress points out it’s not only brands’ revenues at risk. There’s a danger to cyclists, too, because fake products are unlikely to have been quality and safety tested, risking failures in use. Specialized has found the fakes often fail safety testing, in some cases catastrophically.
The latest seizure is the largest of more than a dozen that have taken place over many years, targeting fake Specialized products. In 2017, a two-year investigation resulted in another major takedown when $430,000 of fake goods were seized. There have been other operations against online sellers of fake cycling helmets.
According to Andrew Love, Specialized’s global brand protection manager: "Specialized is unwavering in its commitment to protecting its riders and upholding a zero-tolerance policy against dangerous counterfeit products. These illicit operations not only exploit consumers but also undermine trust in authentic goods. We are fully dedicated to safeguarding our customers and combating organized crime on a global scale.”
AliExpress isn't the only site where counterfeit cycling goods have been listed. There is also an increasing number of counterfeit sites mimicking brands' sites, including Schwalbe and DMR, with buy links inviting purchasers to place an order that never arrives.
Nukeproof described taking down counterfeit sites for its brand as "like whack-a-mole", with a steady stream of fake sites emerging prior to its recent relaunch.
